Police Deaths Up 31% In First Six Months Of 2014

2 years ago

The number of cops killed nationwide in the line of duty was up 31 percent during the first six months of this year. A new report by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund shows California leading all states with eight police officer deaths, followed by New York, Florida, Texas and Virginia with four each. Fund Chairman Craig Floyd says there's been a 37-percent increase in traffic-related incidents and a 56-percent increase in officers killed by gunfire, five of them in ambush-style attacks.

Craig blames those attacks, including the one earlier this month on Jersey City police officer Melvin Santiago and one last month on two Las Vegas police officers, on anti-government sentiment and says law enforcement needs to get tougher.